The Shock of the New

Chapter 15: Consequences

The morning after the festival, Ian awoke ready for another day of enforcing the laws of the land. Looking at the pillow next to him, Ian saw that Grace was already up which was surprising considering today was her day off.

Heading into the dining room for breakfast, he saw Grace already up and eating her breakfast. Ian smiled at her "Good morning!"
Grace barely even looked up from her food

"Oh you're awake"
Ian was taken aback by the bluntness of Grace's response

"You don't sound happy to see me"
Grace rolled her eyes "I know. What with you express opinions that could get you sent to the correction centre, I've got every reason to be happy!"
"I was drunk!" Ian protested "I didn't mean any of that!"

Grace scowled at him "That's not the point! You know the laws of the W.E.R.! We do not express opinions that could be contrary to the advancement of the W.E.R. and or the holy white race!"
Ian felt himself shrink down a little. He stared at the floor

"Sorry." he mumbled "I guess I should have watched my alcohol"
"You should have!" Noticing the sharp tone in her voice, Grace lowered it

"Look Ian. I'm sorry if you're upset, but that's just the way we work. I mean, you uphold the law every day so you of all people should know this."

Ian swallowed "I guess so."

"Good" Grace nodded before returning to eating her breakfast. Ian simply walked into the kitchen to make his own breakfast

As he did so, Ian felt extremely guilty. Not only had he let the woman he loved down with his reckless stupidity, but he had also expressed remarks that were detrimental to the W.E.R. itself.

Ian then paused. What was so wrong about what he'd said? All he'd done was admit he didn't like a popular movie. Surely that alone wouldn't bring down the entire W.E.R. or destroy the white race's standing in the world. It was only a silly opinion expressed in the heat of the moment by somebody who'd had far too much to drink.

Ian then brushed it off. Of course it was bad. He'd been told from the day he was born about how the W.E.R. was right, how it was the only way forward and how everything they banned was for the greater good of society...

Ian stopped. Why did everything have to be about the people at the top and what they wanted? Why couldn't the things he wanted be important?

Ian decided he wouldn't think about it anymore. The whole thing was causing him no end of trouble, so it was best that he just forgot all about it and did his job enforcing the law and keeping everybody safe.

After saying goodbye to Grace, Ian set off for work. The journey on the train was uneventful although Ian found himself constantly glancing at his fellow passengers to see if anybody was watching him.

Eventually, Ian made it to work, walked into the station and checked himself in. He then headed over to his desk and began working over the documents he'd been sent for today.

Ian had only been working away for about 5 minutes when he felt someone tap his shoulder. Turning around, Ian was met by Doug standing over him

"What?" he asked

"Whistler wants to speak with you" Doug explained "He told me to tell you to get your arse over to his office as quick as you can"
Ian sighed and stood up from his desk before walking over to commander Whistler's office.

When Ian stepped inside, he was greeted by Whistler working on his own computer. Whistler then looked up

"Sit down Clarkson"
Somewhat nervous, Ian did so.

"Now mr Clarkson. Do you know why I've asked you in here?"

Ian shook his head "No sir"
Whistler chewed his lip for a second. Then he scowled at Ian

"Mr Clarkson, we've recently received a report from a Mr Thompson. In this report, he claims that you expressed opinions which could be seen as damaging to the superiority of the white race and the values of the state"

"I was drunk!" Ian desperately attempted to save face "I didn't mean it, I swear!"
"Don't try it Clarkson!" Whistler snapped "Can you imagine in the general public found out about this? If they heard that a member of the police force, the ones whose job it is to uphold the sanctity of the values of the W.E.R., was expressing anti white sentiments? Have you any idea of the damage that would do to the people's trust in us?"

For a second neither of them spoke. Then Ian nervously asked "So what happens to me?"
Whistler sighed and closed his eyes

"You're to be suspended from duty for a month without pay."
Ian felt a lump in his throat "But sir.... My rent... How am I supposed to-"
"Don't make this more difficult!" Whistler interrupted "It's only thanks to me that you're not spending several months in the correction centre, so be grateful!"
Ian nodded "Yes sir"
"Now you may go. I shall see you in a month's time when you've hopefully gained a better understanding of your responsibilities to the state"

As Ian made his way back to the flat, he was understandably feeling more than a little glum. His biggest worry was how Grace was going to react. At best it'd just be an "I told you so" although Ian had a strong suspicion he'd get a much more severe tongue lashing.

Eventually Ian departed his final train and made his way over to the flat.

Upon entering, he called out "Grace?"
"What the hell are you doing here?"

Ian turned to his right to see Grace emerging from the bedroom. To his horror he realised she was holding the book he'd stolen

"What the hell is this?" she asked

Ian stammered and tried to find his words.

"I was told to go over it and report my findings back to headquarters" he quickly exclaimed

"Oh really?" Grace looked uneasy "Why?"
"They're worried that the book could contain coded messages that the P.R.E. could be using to smuggle to it's cells within the country. But now I've been told I don't need it anymore and it can be burned."
Noticing Grace was still looking sceptical, Ian stepped forward

"Trust me. We'll burn it to a crisp in the oven"
"That still doesn't explain what you're doing here"
This was the moment Ian had dreaded. He quickly decided it was best to get the whole thing over with

"Donald told the authorities what I said and it got through to Whistler. So I'm suspended from duty"
Grace sighed "Oh fuck. How long for?"
"A month" Ian explained

Grace paused for a second "Well I suppose it could be worse. I hope you've learned your lesson this time"

Ian nodded "Yeah I have. Now what do you say we burn that book?"

As Ian had suggested, the two of them placed the book in the oven, set it on full and watched as the whole thing burned away to a pile of black ash. Although Ian acted glad at being rid of it, deep down he felt a sense of sadness, as though he'd lost an old and dear friend.

That night, Ian couldn't sleep at all. Every time he closed his eyes, his thoughts were filled with images of the book blackening and burning away to nothing. But why was it so important that it was destroyed? It was one little book. Surely that wouldn't have any effect on the grand status of the W.E.R.

As Ian drifted off to sleep, he hoped that the month of suspension would give him a chance to figure his life out and work out the thoughts that had been bothering him over the last few weeks.

If he'd known what was on the horizon however, it was very likely he wouldn't have slept at all.